Developers of Luminous Arc and World Destruction help fill RPG void in the Wii's library
Yet again Famitsu Weekly has revealed a new title in development for a Nintendo system. Marvelous is bringing Wii owners a traditional RPG from Image Epoch, Arc Rise Fantasia.
Arc Rise Fantasia will feature a graphical style similar to that found in tri-Ace games. The title will also feature a widescreen option for 16:9 users to take advantage of.
The game's featured "Trinity Battle System" involves a three-character party that shares an "AP gauge" that depletes as each character performs an action. Characters will have the ability to attack more than once, or they can perform a single strong attack called a "Tandem Connect" which will be vital against stronger foes. However, these techniques will further deplete the AP gauge, leaving less for the other characters in the party. Another technique is the "Party Connect" feature. It is triggered when multiple characters in the party use the same skill at the same time and increases the effectiveness of the attack.
The plot of the game remains a mystery at the moment, but it is known to revolve around the Meridian Empire's struggle against marauding dragons. The story revolves around a young man called Brite and his best friend Alse who joins him for the adventure. Two other female characters also join the party: the purple-haired Rifia and the elegant Adele.
The title's development will also feature two famed game developers, Takumi Miyajima and Yasunori Mitsuda. Miyajima is in charge of the game's story and is known best for his work with the Tales series, specifically Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss. Mitsuda, composer for the Chrono Trigger series and some arrangements in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, will be composing the featured music of Arc Rise Fantasia.
Currently there is no word on a solid release date for the title or potential regions for release outside of Japan. Japanese players will be able to keep track of the game through its official website.
Nick DiMola contributed to this article.